Partnering with community to design and develop ‘service learning’ in ACCHOs

Service learning is one type of placement model that has had great success in promoting rural, community-focused learning and work opportunities within health professions education. During these placements, students deliver a service or complete a project that would otherwise be inaccessible to the community. These placements are particularly successful where there is a shortage of staff, where health and community resources are minimal, and where there is an identified, specific health need.
Service learning placements within rural Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) allow for communities to be provided with health care delivery otherwise not available to them. ACCHOs often have a distinct lack of allied health services which makes them ideally placed for service learning opportunities. Service learning placements in these organisations help solve some of the region's health problems and provide the health services that are needed.